Illuminated bow sight apparatus

ABSTRACT

An illuminated bow sight apparatus is provided for a bow which includes a grip portion and a sight unit which includes a sight unit housing. The illuminated bow sight apparatus includes a grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit mounted on the grip portion of the bow. The grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit includes a resilient first switch strip and a resilient second switch strip. A sight illuminator unit is mounted on the sight unit, and switch-to-illuminator electrical conductors are electrically connected between the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit and the sight illuminator unit. The sight illuminator unit includes a battery power source and an electrical bulb. The grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit provides automatic “on” and automatic “off” features, thereby providing for long life of the battery power source. This is so because the electrical bulb is energized and turned “on” only when needed and automatically turns “off” when not needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority based upon my copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/832,753; filed Jul. 24, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to bow sights, and, more particularly, to bow sights especially adapted for being illuminated.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bows sights are well known in the art. Throughout the years, particularly useful innovations have been developed relating to illuminated bow sights, and the following U.S. patents are representative of some of those innovations: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,495,675, 6,073,352, 6,494,604, 6,564,462, and 6,634,110.

With special attention directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,352, said patent discloses a laser bow sight apparatus which employs a grip-mounted squeeze bulb strip or reed switch 90 for actuating a light source. However, a squeeze bulb strip can fail to operate properly if a squeeze bulb has an air leak. In addition, a reed switch can fail to operated properly if the reed elements are separated and fail to come back together. To avoid such problems, it would be desirable if an illuminated bow sight apparatus were provided with a grip-mounted switch which does not include a squeeze bulb and does not include a reed switch.

Furthermore, it would be desirable if an illuminated bow sight apparatus were provided that had grip-mounted resilient light switch elements that dependably return to an “off” status when an operator's pressure on a bow sight switch, which provides an “on” status, is removed.

Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use illuminated bow sights, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest an illuminated bow sight apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) provides a grip-mounted switch which does not include a squeeze bulb and does not include a reed switch; and (2) has grip-mounted resilient light switch elements that dependably return to an “off” status when an operator's pressure on a bow sight switch, which provides an “on” status, is removed.

The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique illuminated bow sight apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, the present invention, briefly described, provides an illuminated bow sight apparatus for a bow which includes a grip portion and a sight unit which includes a sight unit housing. The illuminated bow sight apparatus includes a grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit mounted on the grip portion of the bow. A sight illuminator unit is mounted on the sight unit, and switch-to-illuminator electrical conductors are electrically connected between the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit and the sight illuminator unit. The sight illuminator unit includes a battery power source and an electrical bulb. The grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit provides automatic “on” and automatic “off” features, thereby providing for long life of the battery power source. This is so because the electrical bulb is energized and turned “on” only when needed and automatically turns “off” when not needed.

Preferably, the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit includes a first switch strip to which one switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, a second switch strip to which one switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, and an insulative switch strip retainer which retains the first switch strip and the second switch strip and which is attached to the grip portion of the bow. Preferably, the first switch strip and the second switch strip are made from resilient, spring-like material.

Preferably, the sight illuminator unit includes an illuminator unit housing, a battery power source located inside the illuminator unit housing, and an electrical bulb received in the illuminator unit housing and in electrical contact with the battery power source. A lens is supported by the illuminator unit housing and is provided for transmitting light rays from the electrical bulb to the sight unit. A connector portion is physically attached to the illuminator unit housing for attaching the sight illuminator unit to the sight unit.

The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will be for the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining a preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such illuminated bow sight apparatus available to the buying public.

Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus which provides a grip-mounted switch which does not include a squeeze bulb and does not include a reed switch.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus that has grip-mounted resilient light switch elements that dependably return to an “off” status when an operator's pressure on a bow sight switch, which provides an “on” status, is removed.

These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the illuminated bow sight apparatus of the invention installed on a bow.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the embodiment of the illuminated bow sight apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the illuminated bow sight apparatus of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, taken along line 6-6 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.

Turning to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the illuminated bow sight apparatus of the invention generally designated by reference numeral 10. In each of the figures, reference numerals are shown that correspond to like reference numerals that designate like elements shown in other figures.

In the preferred embodiment, illuminated bow sight apparatus 10 is provided for a bow 11 which includes a grip portion 13 and a sight unit 15 which includes a sight unit housing 17. The illuminated bow sight apparatus 10 includes a grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 mounted on the grip portion 13 of the bow 11. A sight illuminator unit 16 is mounted on the sight unit 15, and switch-to-illuminator electrical conductors 18 are electrically connected between the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 and the sight illuminator unit 16. In addition, a bow-to-sight support structure 38 is provided between the sight unit 15 and the bow 11.

Preferably, the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 includes a first switch strip 30 to which one switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, a second switch strip 32 to which one switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, and an insulative switch strip retainer 34 which retains the first switch strip 30 and the second switch strip 32 and which is attached to the grip portion 13 of the bow 11. The insulative switch strip retainer 34 can be attached to the bow 11 using an adhesive material. Preferably, the first switch strip 30 and the second switch strip 32 are made from resilient, spring-like material.

Preferably, the sight illuminator unit 16 includes an illuminator unit housing 20, a battery power source 22 located inside the illuminator unit housing 20, and an electrical bulb 24 received in the illuminator unit housing 20 and in electrical contact with the battery power source 22. A lens 26 is supported by the illuminator unit housing 20 and is provided for transmitting light rays 36 from the electrical bulb 24 to the sight unit 15. A connector portion 28 is physically attached to the illuminator unit housing 20 for attaching the sight illuminator unit 16 to the sight unit 15.

Once the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 is mounted on the grip portion 13 of the bow 11, and once the sight illuminator unit 16 is mounted on the sight unit 15, which is mounted on the bow 11 by means of the bow-to-sight support structure 38, the illuminated bow sight apparatus 10 of the invention is ready for use.

To use the illuminated bow sight apparatus 10 of the invention, the user of bow 11 grips the grip portion 13 with one hand and pulls on the bow string (not shown) with the other hand. As the user pulls back on the bow string with one hand, the user squeezes the grip portion 13 with the other hand. Since the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 is located on the grip portion 13, when the user squeezes the grip portion 13, the user automatically squeezes the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12.

More specifically, as the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 is squeezed by the user, the resilient first switch strip 30 and the resilient second switch strip 32 are squeezed together, as shown by directional arrows 40 and 42 in FIG. 5. When the resilient first switch strip 30 and the resilient second switch strip 32 make electrical contact together, an electrical circuit is completed between the battery power source 22 and the electrical bulb 24, and electrical power flows from the battery power source 22 to the electrical bulb 24 which turns the electrical bulb 24 “on”, whereby the electrical bulb 24 emits light rays 36 which are transmitted through the lens 26 into the sight unit 15, as shown in FIG. 2. The sight unit 15 can includes fiber optic sight pins 19 which are illuminated by the light rays 36.

When the user relaxes one's grip on the grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit 12 and the grip portion 13, the resilient first switch strip 30 and the resilient second switch strip 32 separate from each other and automatically return to the unstressed condition, as shown by broken lines 44 in FIG. 5. When this occurs, the electrical circuit between the battery power source 22 and the electrical bulb 24 is broken, and the electrical bulb 24 turns “off”.

The automatic “on” and automatic “off” features of the illuminated bow sight apparatus 10 of the invention provide for long life of the battery power source 22. This is so because the electrical bulb 24 is energized and turned “on” only when needed and automatically turns “off” when not needed.

The components of the illuminated bow sight apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials and electrical components.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.

It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved illuminated bow sight apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and operation, and which may advantageously be used to provide a grip-mounted switch which does not include a squeeze bulb and does not include a reed switch. With the invention, an illuminated bow sight apparatus is provided which has grip-mounted resilient light switch elements that dependably return to an “off” status when an operator's pressure on a bow sight switch, which provides an “on” status, is removed.

Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.

Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 

1. An illuminated bow sight apparatus for a bow which includes a grip portion and a sight unit which includes a sight unit housing, comprising: a grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit mounted on the grip portion of the bow, a sight illuminator unit mounted on the sight unit, and switch-to-illuminator electrical conductors electrically connected between said grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit and said sight illuminator unit. wherein said grip-mounted, pressure-responsive switch unit includes: a first switch strip to which one switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, a second switch strip to which on switch-to-illuminator electrical conductor is electrically connected, and an insulative switch strip retainer which retains said first switch strip and said second switch strip and which is attached to the grip portion of the bow, and wherein said first switch strip and said second switch strip are made from resilient, spring-like material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sight illuminator unit includes: an illuminator unit housing, a battery power source located inside said illuminator unit housing, an electrical bulb received in said illuminator unit housing and in electrical contact with said battery power source, a lens, supported by said illuminator unit housing, for transmitting light rays from said electrical bulb to the sight unit, and a connector portion, connected to said illuminator unit housing, for connecting said sight illuminator unit to the sight unit. 